First full marathon- 10/13 Ashland WI- Whistlestop

Any of my friends had seen that I was having problems during my two taper weeks (heart rate running high and a few other repercussions probably from overtraining). But in the end I think I made the right call to even cut back a bit more those last two weeks to try and recover for the race. I had stress/nerves the week prior which threw my eating off and didn't get the amount of sleep I probably should have either. I tried to reassure myself that all the prior months of training were already done and wouldn't disappear over a two week recovery.

Of course- anxiety & a snoring son in the hotel room had me up early after only 4-5 hours of sleep. I taped my feet & lubed potential chaffing areas (Body Glide!). Forced myself to eat what I had planned (even though I felt anything but hungry). I was prepared for the worst since it was supposed to be raining all morning. I had a complete extra outfit and shoes in a bag the hubby was to bring to an aid station if I texted him (yes I carried a cell- figured I would rather have carried it and not needed it than to wish I could have gotten those dry socks/shoes I needed for the last 10 miles). The race gods were with us- it held to just misting for the first few hours and stayed just cloudy by around noon.

The race would start at 9am and we needed to be at the last parking lot at around 8 to catch a short shuttle to the actual starting line. It was only about 40 degrees so not too bad. On a drop start race (they take you out and you run back) I think it seems farther then when you can start/end at the same location by making a loop. The entire almost 30 minute drive out to the parking lot- I kept trying to ignore the fact that I was going to run all this way back. It's hard to block out as you're flying down the road at 60mph and it seems like it's taking so long to get there. But I managed and made it to the start with my hubby and best friend to see me off.

I had asked to run in honor of my friend's aunt who had suddenly (within two weeks of diagnosis) passed away from pancreatic cancer just a few months ago. Personally- I like to have something else to focus on for motivation. I told myself there were at least 26 people who were missing her terribly and the least I could do was run a mile for each in her honor. So I had my badge/pin for 'Aunt Kathy' that I could return to my friend at the end of the race. Got my music geared up and off we go.

I tried to stay in my head and really run much slower than I knew I could. I wanted to go easy a couple of miles to give myself time to settle in to a rhythm and then see what that crazy heart rate was doing and adjust from there. First time I checked I think it was 160. I thought I could do that for 26 miles so I tried to stay the course. Forced myself to stay on track with my 'fuel' plan (something about every 2 miles- powerade or food w/ water) and didn't check the monitor again til after 6 miles. By now the heart rate was in the 156-158 range. Even better I thought to myself...I could keep this up and save some energy for the end. I had only peeked at my pace once or twice. I really needed not to be concerned about that at all and just focus on trying to finish strong and injury free. Luckily I did not have an issue with my leg at the start or even til this point in the race so I was on a good start.

I couldn't keep track of them all but my cheer team (hubby & friend) were at one of the early station points and a high five always helps motivation. The next bulk of the race was where I thought to try to increase maybe just 10 seconds or so on pace. So I tried to stay peppy- run what felt good but still sort of easy. What had happened to all my worry about the heart rate that was so whacky the past two weeks...all for naught- checked every so often and actually it stayed lower than I even wanted. Mid 150s and I felt I could still pick it up a little bit on pace. But the other side of my brain said maybe instead of trying to over do it- wouldn't it feel better to finish well and feel good instead of hitting the wall- 'There's always another race to improve your time" so I kept it in control. I feel comfortable saying I basically cruised through the first 20 miles. Even into the next few miles it felt pretty good. I ignored the pace because I knew- all the miles I have already run are done and there's nothing I can do about that so the time doesn't matter. As it was later in the miles 17, 20 etc I was so proud of how good I felt and that I knew I was running a smart race- conserving energy and fueling properly.

By about mile 22 I could feel my thighs starting to 'thicken' and feel heavy. Not sure how else to describe that feeling in the muscles. These were gonna be the tough ones and the 'unknown' territory. I focused on the people I do know that had lost Kathy- her dad and how no one should have to bury a child even when you are 80 and they are 60. Her sister (my friend's mom) as I knew the pain to bury a sibling (my own sister 3 years ago). Mile 25 was for Danielle her daughter whom I can only imagine the hole she feels with her mother gone and so much left of her life to live. My legs were really telling me they were tired. But I hated to stop. The last couple of aid stations after 20 miles- the walking was fine but it hurt to get back into the running. So I didn't want to have to feel that 'start' again. Then the dirt trail came to and end and we were on the paved trail in town. Mile 25 came and I knew it was close but I was struggling so I allowed myself to walk for 2 minutes just to break it up. And then if I knew if it was only a mile or less I could just suck up the grief of starting to run again. This last mile was for my friend Pam that I know was close to her aunt and hurt deeply over her passing. Pam was there for me at all those stations with high fives and cheers- I knew this goal was in my reach. Those last few blocks through town were marked with cones and colored flags....around every corner I thought was the finish. Finally at the last turn they were already announcing my name & town (must have had a spotter further out) and I could see my cheer squad and the clock- under 5 hours which had been my original goal AND I felt good. Cross it- DONE! Marathon #1- no injury (as far as I could tell) and a respectable time. My legs were done but in a good way- no cramps. The worst casualty is a blood blister on my left big toe and it's not even painful.

So I did it - my way; slow and steady and ran a smart race. I couldn't be happier. And I will keep running for all those who can't because of illness or disease or because they have already passed and went to the great marathon in the sky. Keep running!
God Bless!